Water Kefir is a delicious, fizzy, probiotic beverage that is caffeine-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and low in sugar. It is light and refreshing and can be flavoured with fruit and botanicals. It contains valuable enzymes, billions of probiotics, easily digestible sugars, vitamins, amino acids and minerals.
IMPORTANT: First rule of successful Tibi water kefir, is to always use dechlorinated water. You can use tap water for your Tibi water kefir, but be sure to boil and cool first to remove any chlorine. Most instances of struggling Tibi crystals can be linked back to chlorine in the water.
BE SURE TO REHYDRATE YOUR TIBI WATER KEFIR CRYSTALS prior to starting your first batch. To rehydrate the crystals, put them, with 2 cups of cool dechlorinated water for at least 2 hours.
What Kind of Sugar Should I Use?
Most popular types of cane sugar work for making water kefir, as long as there are no additive ingredients. We recommend organic cane sugar. Raw sugar, refined white sugar, and brown sugar can also be used with varying success. Brown sugar or palm (coconut) sugar can be used but may stress your water kefir crystals over time due to its high mineral content. However, maple syrup, honey, and other alternative sweeteners have antibacterial qualities and may damage the health of kefir grains.
The Heyday Sugar Blend uses a combination of all organic cane sugar, coconut palm sugar and date sugar. This blend gives the perfect balance of minerals to keep your tibi crystals happy and producing.
Is Water Kefir Alcoholic?
Fermented drinks typically have trace amounts of alcohol, but normal methods of making water kefir produce roughly 0.1% ABV. This amount poses virtually zero risks of intoxication.
How Much Sugar is in Water Kefir?
The amount of sugar used to make water kefir might give you the impression water kefir is heavy on sugar. This is not the case, because kefir crystalls metabolize the sugar as part of the fermentation process. Finished water kefir is fairly light on sugar.
What Strains of Beneficial Bacteria and Yeast are in Water Kefir?
There are over fifty types of healthy, probiotic bacteria that may be present in water kefir. The many families of beneficial bacteria present in water kefir include Lactobacillus and Streptococcus.
What are the main known health benefits?
Water kefir derives most or all of its health benefit from the probiotics that promote good gut health, better-regulated bowel movements, improved immunity and other associated benefits. However, various studies link probiotics present in water kefir to increased energy and relief for certain mental health conditions.
How Does Water Kefir Work?
Kefir Crystals(also known as grains) are living colonies of probiotic bacteria, proteins, and lipids. If the crystals have sugar to feed on and comfortable temperatures, they rapidly reproduce and create a tasty drink with an abundance of healthy bacteria.
How Long Will the Grains/Crystals Last?
In theory, kefir grains have an infinite lifespan. With careful, proper care, the bacteria and crystals will only grow and may be reused indefinitely. Even kefir crystals that have been damaged by age and poor handling may be able to propagate new, healthy grains.
Some of My Grains/Crystals Are Floating: Is This OK?
There are several reasons for kefir crystals to float. One is that they've absorbed some of the carbon dioxides put off by yeasts in the fermentation process, and another is that their balance of proteins and lipids is simply less dense than water. Neither of these is anything to worry about; it is normal for a minority of kefir grains to float.
How Long Is Finished Water Kefir Suitable to Drink?
The yeasts and bacteria in water kefir actively protect the drink and prevent spoilage. However, after 1-2 weeks, the flavour will begin to grow drier and the alcohol content will increase. It's not necessary to toss it at this point, however. Small amounts of one to two weeks-old water kefir mixed into a fresh batch should not have an appreciable impact on flavor.
How Much Water Kefir Can I Drink Each Day?
No practical amount of water kefir will pose unique health risks. However, sudden changes in your gut microbiome tend to cause temporary periods of discomfort, even if the change is positive. When you first start drinking water kefir, it may be best to limit yourself to 1-2 cups a day at first. If you wish to drink more, increase consumption gradually.
Will My Grains/Crystals Multiply?
Water kefir crystals may multiply and grow on their own, but the process is usually rather slow. To accommodate the growth of kefir crystals, you should create the optimal conditions for the grains to multiply. If you provide your kefir crystals with ideal temperatures, a balanced water mineral content, and a steady supply of sugar, they should grow.
What Does Water Kefir Taste and Smell Like?
The taste and smell of water kefir vary based on the type of sugar used. The flavor of water kefir is quite easy to customize, as well; many people add fruits or ginger in the fermentation process for this reason. Without adding anything for flavour, though, water kefir will have a semisweet, semi-tangy flavor accompanied by modest carbonation.
Why Isn't My Water Kefir Carbonated?
The carbonation in water kefir is produced by the yeast, which feeds on minerals in the water. Refined sugars have little to no mineral content, so water kefir made with refined sugars will have a flat, relatively neutral taste. Using a richer, unprocessed sugar or otherwise increasing the mineral content should increase carbonation, and placing your finished water kefir in a tightly-sealed bottle for a few days may do the same.
What Should I Do With My Kefir/Grains if I Want to Take a Break From Making Water Kefir?
For one reason or another, many people will want or need to take a break from making water kefir now and then. In this event, you can hibernate the crystals and place them in a sealed jar of sugar water for up to three weeks. The kefir grains will exit hibernation after being exposed to warmer temperatures.